This week, LeBron James opened a public school specifically designed for "students in Akron who need it most." LeBron spent millions of dollars and a decade of his life working to open this school in his Ohio hometown.
And y'all, every single detail I learn about this school makes me want to cry a little. Here are just a few reasons why the I Promise School is so incredible:
1. Every kid at the school gets a free bicycle and helmet, because LeBron says his own childhood bike helped him get out of dangerous neighborhoods and explore his city as a kid.
2. Students receive free breakfast, lunch, and snacks throughout their school day. They also get free uniforms.
3. If a student's family is struggling to put food on the table, the school has its own food bank for them to use.
4. LeBron has guaranteed that every single student who graduates from his school will receive free college tuition at the University of Akron.
5. Not that this is the most ~important~ thing, but can we talk about how COOL the building is? The walls are lined with the athlete's former game shoes.
6. The school's calendar is uniquely designed to keep students engaged in their learning. This includes having a longer school day and a shorter summer break.
Ready for year-round school 💪🏾 #IPROMISE #WeAreFamily
7. For the school's seven-week summer recess, they offer an optional STEM-based summer camp.
8. The school places a huge emphasis on their emotional well-being. Students have support circles every day after lunch, and daily classes to help them develop healthy life habits.
9. And it's not just the students who are being served by the school: LeBron is implementing programs to help the parents of these children, too. For example...
The kid from Akron with his kids from Akron. #IPROMISE #WeAreFamily
10. Parents at the school are given access to a GED program if they didn't graduate high school.
11. If a parent is unemployed, the school has resources to help them find a job.
@KingJames touring @Rachel__Nichols through his @IPROMISESchool & showing off what the Akron Community built and came together for! #IPROMISE 😎🏫 #WeAreFamily https://t.co/XkEaBpLhW6
12. The school will even help parents find suitable housing for their families. The school's motto is "We Are Family," and they really live up to it.
13. OH, and you'll be glad to know that the school treats the teachers pretty incredibly, too!
14. You might not know this, but most teachers have to pay for their own classroom supplies. But at LeBron's school, all supplies are provided for them.
15. To ensure that they are well-equipped to help their students, every teacher at the I Promise School is given access to free psychological services as well as career development trainings.
Our #IPROMISE School Staff are gathering all around the school to greet @KingJames kids as they arrive for the 1️⃣st day at 9am! #WeAreFamily https://t.co/updAKRs6Fi
16. LeBron even hired a personal trainer for the teachers to use if they want!
17. Finally (and maybe most importantly), LeBron and his foundation made this a *public* school — it's not charter or private. That means it's totally free for students to go, and the school isn't treated differently from any other in the Akron district.
LeBron James, thank you.
All smiles for @KingJames #IPROMISE Students 😁🙌 #ChosenOnes